Finish the year strong

As 2022 is quickly coming to an end, learners in the FET Phase are writing their end-of-year exams, while parents of younger learners might be wondering when they should complete their academic year. Homeschooling with Impaq allows learners in Grades R – 9 more flexibility, giving parents until 28 February 2023 to complete all assessments and capture these marks. If you still have some work to do before then, read our tips below on how to finish the year strong.

Regroup on where you are at

The first step is to carefully examine which assessments your learner still needs to complete. Once you’ve determined this, work your way back to set up a timetable detailing the content you still need to cover and how much time you need to spend on each subject. Ensure that the timetable is easily visible for everyone, such as above the learner’s desk or the fridge, so you both know what needs to be done.

The Optimi Learning Portal (OLP) can help you make planning easy! Here, you will find a personalised calendar for your learner with all the content that still needs to be completed. The Assessments screen should be your best friend as this is where you can easily see what needs to be done, along with suggested completion dates. You can also use the OLP to track and monitor your learner’s progress.

Grab some new gear

It can be challenging to stay motivated when you don’t have the right tools. Something as simple as new stationery or a fresh new notebook can put a pep in your learner’s step and motivate them to complete their final tasks for the year. Consider buying your stationery packs for Grade R and Grades 1 – 3 ahead of schedule. Not only will you save some money in January, but it could just be the motivation your child needs to finish the year strong.

Opt for a change of scenery

New gear is not the only thing that can get your child motivated. A change of scenery can have a similar effect! Homeschooling allows you to learn from anywhere, so why not take advantage of the summer weather and take learning outside? Set up a mobile workstation in the garden or on the patio.

Researchers have found that when learners complete tasks outside, they remember the content better compared to performing the same tasks indoors. Learning in a new (and natural) environment has a positive effect on children’s skills and can help them feel more confident before taking on the last stretch in their learning journey.

Also read: Boost learning by going outside

Travel further

While moving the classroom outside has many benefits, you don’t have to stop there! Look at what content still needs to be covered and add a quick field trip to the curriculum. You can even consider booking a camping trip or a short weekend stay. These excursions have the potential to provide the perfect learning environment when matched with the topics that your child is learning about.

If you are learning about animals, why not consider a trip to the Kruger National Park or a day trip to a wildlife reserve or zoo near you? Museums also offer a great learning experience and can boost your child’s thirst for knowledge. If your budget doesn’t allow for field trips, go virtual! Virtual field trips are an exciting way to visit places around the world, at any time, without leaving the comfort of the couch.

Read more: Field trips turn virtual

Switch it up

So, you’ve gone through months of homeschooling with the same routine, and it’s starting to get a little boring. It’s time to switch things up! It’s never too late (or too early) to refresh your routine Try the 10 Habits for Successful Learners course available for Grades 4 – 12 from the Optimi Plus store! The programme can help your learner develop a positive learning attitude ahead of completing their tests and exams.

Make learning fun

Turn learning into a fun, immersive experience. Active learning has been proven to be more effective than passive listening, and hands-on learning for little ones is a great way to solidify information. Develop your child’s fine and gross motor skills as well as their mental fitness with the Woelwater/Wackybox; a box filled with age-appropriate educational activities for little learners from 5 months to 6 years. The brand-new Woelwater/Wackybox is available on the Optimi Plus store (and makes for a fantastic Christmas gift!).

Simplify difficult subjects

While many learners struggle with Mathematics, this doesn’t need to be the case. Starting with a solid foundation will ensure that your little learner knows the basics and will help them apply these concepts in their formal assessments. Make sure that you set the foundation for happy learning with the Foundation Phase maths kit for Grades R – 3, which includes 13 fun, educational aids!. The kit is designed to develop learners’ mathematical skills by providing a ‘minds-on, hands-on’ learning experience to help learners improve:

• mathematical fluency
• mathematical reasoning
• mathematical competence
• problem-solving skills

You can also make learning Mathematics easy for older learners with educational computer games. Cami’s online and offline computer programs are an excellent option for learners to practise spatial reasoning, mathematical literacy, and more in a fun, interactive way.

Tick off your to-do list

Once you have worked through all the lesson material and your learner is ready to start completing their assessments, use the Optimi Learning Portal (OLP) to help them prepare and revise what they have learned, with crafted digital resources including subject guidance sessions, videos, quizzes, and more. Now, you’re ready to tick those last assessments off your to-do list and finish the year strong!

No matter what, remember, you’ve got this and we’re here to support you every step of the way! Show us how you’re finishing the year strong by tagging us on Instagram with #ImpaqHomeschool.